Case Worker, Housing Follow-up Support

Reporting to the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program, the Housing Follow-up Support Case Worker enhances the dignity and quality of life of Good Shepherd’s clients by helping individuals and households exiting homelessness to work towards continued housing stability. These tailored, in-person supports meet the unique strengths and needs of each household while assisting their transition from shelter or outdoors into permanent, safe homes.

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- To provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive services rooted in harm reduction and Housing First approaches
- To deliver services in person, including travelling to meet with people in their housing units, accompanying people to other service providers and conducting services after hours and on weekends when necessary
- Referrals are to be assigned by the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program, designate or the Coordinated Access team. To proceed with the assigned referrals in a timely manner through collaborative consultation according to the provided Transfer Process Guidelines.
- To participate in all meetings and case conferencing processes with housing follow-up support providers (i.e., monthly case conference meetings) established by the Coordinated Access team, as required
- To provide client-directed, goal-oriented service planning that fosters developing independence, integrates appropriate referrals to community supports and/or long-term case management and embeds comprehensive discharge processes
- To provide services and strategies to stabilize housing for people at risk of homelessness, including landlord mediation, support with navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), arrears repayment and re-housing
- To compile, maintain and provide program statistics and submitting activity data and program outcomes, as required
- To assist clients during the resettlement process and provide support, direction and encouragement.
- To provide comprehensive housing follow-up support services for clients moving to independent living.
- To facilitate connections to community, social, cultural, and recreational activities, including accompanying clients to those activities if necessary.
- To provide case management/counselling services to housed clients focusing on assisting clients in maintaining long-term accommodation
- To assist clients with ‘Life Skills’ development. To create supports and foster positive relationships to help clients develop daily living skills.
- To generate opportunities for clients to develop problem-solving, conflict resolution, and budgeting skills.
- To assist clients with job searches, providing referral to employment agencies, developing interview skills and preparation of resumes.
- To provide eviction prevention services, including regular check-in with clients and, if necessary, with landlords, to ensure rent is paid and to identify if landlord mediation is needed.
- To provide outreach services to clients, including providing information on drug/alcohol recovery, referrals to appropriate services, crisis intervention, and eviction prevention.
- To proactively assess and follow up on client needs.
- To conduct regular home visits that focus on goals and specific activities/outcomes that can move clients toward independence.
- Where appropriate, to refer clients to community/intensive case management services, local substance abuse services, medical and psychiatric care, intensive stabilization units, etc.
- To attend case conferences, other discussions and meetings as directed.
- To participate in City committees and working groups, if or as required
- To follow the guidelines of the City of Toronto’s strategic direction as it relates to housing and case management.
- To be familiar with the relevant statutory and voluntary services available to our client group to effectively advise and assist clients in their legal right to fair housing and other entitlements.
- To advocate on behalf of clients to improve access to services.
- To maintain orderly files and after-care notes.
- To maintain the confidentiality and ethical standards of Good Shepherd Ministries at all times.
- To perform any other related tasks that may from time to time be assigned by the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program or designate.

**Requirements**:

- Must to have: Degree in Social Work or equivalent educational and work experience.
- Must to have: Solid experience in social work and counselling/ case management/ crisis intervention/ program development to provide responsive and client-centred case management services that meet each person’s unique needs and/or complex challenges.
- A thorough understanding of homelessness, poverty, health and related issues.
- Knowledgeable of the Residential Tenancies Act, the Housing Services Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
- Excellent written communication skills to produce routine memoranda, c